DAY 25

Deirdre O'Reilly | Re:Hope West End

I had asked for prayer for this young man several times from Re:Hope and from online prayer lines. “N” is very intelligent but is neurodivergent. He had twice begun a University course but had opted out because he found it too challenging socially.

His parents – both professionals – were at a loss as to how to help him. During his twenties he did some low-paid jobs such as zero-shift shop assistant or call centre worker. He spent most of his time in his room working and internet-surfing.

Two years ago, he decided to try the Open University. He began two courses. One course he tackled on his own. The other course he found more challenging but God began to do something amazing!

The extended family included “M”, a retired teacher of this particular subject. She had always been close to N's family. The parents asked if she would help by tutoring N.

As she already had a good relationship with N and he was happy with this arrangement. So, throughout the year, she helped not only by teaching the subject but also by focusing on giving N strategies to cope with the specific challenges he experiences.

During the tutoring, she made allowances for breaks in concentration. She helped N. organise his work and to develop examination skills. She went over past papers. She assisted N. in arranging the information he was permitted to take into the final examination such that he could easily find particular pieces of information. She sometimes stayed on socially to spend time with the parents, gradually encouraging them to experience less stress with the situation.

N achieved top level marks in both the subjects. This year he has tackled two more courses on his own, again achieving top level marks in both courses.

Hopefully, with God's help, N will complete the degree in one more year, giving him the possibility of a much brighter future. Thank you so much, God, for intervening and assisting this young man through his extended family.

Deirdre O'Reilly | Re:Hope West End

Every now and then I would pass a lady in the street. She would give a tentative nod, a slight smile, and then move hurriedly on. I longed to pray with her for, I suspected, mental health challenges. But she did not seem to wish for a chat.

Then, one day, there she was on the bus, sitting towards the front on a seat facing me. To my surprise, she began to chat openly across the bus about some family issues. As several people could hear, I hesitated to ask if I might pray with her and she left the bus after a few stops. “Next time we meet!” I thought.

But again, when our paths would occasionally cross, she again would give a tentative nod, a slight smile and then move hurriedly on as if the bus conversation had not happened. I was disappointed. 

Then one day she approached me and asked if we could meet up. We agreed to meet in a quiet, public space with seating. We chatted for about an hour, but this time she indicated that all was well, she was retired and was contentedly leading a peaceful and quiet life. 

I shared a little of how I spend my time but, inwardly, I was puzzled. I had felt that she was struggling and would be helped by prayer but there was no sign of this in the conversation. I began to wonder why I was spending my time with her in this way. As we parted, she asked if we could meet up again in a few months and I acquiesced without much enthusiasm.

Some months later, she again approached me and we arranged to meet up, this time in a voluntary organisation's tea room. However, a volunteer kept interacting and we seemed to have little opportunity to chat together. Eventually the volunteer moved away, and the lady began to share about some mental health issues, much as I had sensed. She allowed me to pray a short prayer with her.

Since then our paths occasionally cross again. We chat briefly. Her smile is more sure. She has not shared so deeply again but there is definitely a fragile relationship. Hopefully she will allow me to pray for her again sometime for even more healing.

Slowly slowly slowly! Gently, gently, gently!